Dec 18, 2009

When I decided to move to Scotland, I was just as excited about the prospects of living alone as receiving quality education. Thankfully, my parents decided to put me up in my own studio apartment. Heaven knows that I would have died a little death everyday if I had to live in Pollock. Sure,the exteriors of university halls aren't so bad..I daresay even beautiful for some of the older ones, but one step inside and you risk losing yourself in chaos. Everything is a mess and devoid of any elegance and style.

I'm thankful that I've managed to make a home out of my apartment for the past 4 years. However, as much as I love my place, I have a nagging feeling that it's time to move on. For one, false fire alarms are becoming all too frequent (and at ungodly hours like 3am as well). Secondly, I've had to deal with unreasonable and inconsiderate neighbors (One insisted on smoking on our non-smoking floor. Ive had the displeasure of writing him an uncharitable, angry letter involving an expletive which I wish I had not used) Lastly, my ceiling has been leaking for weeks and the maintenance has yet to repair it (I am thisclose to writing another angry letter. God, restrain me). But for all its faults and imperfections, it still is my home away from home and it has served me well over the years.

The best part about it? THIS! I still get excited when I open my windows to this magnificent view. I have countless pictures of it in my computer because the novelty never seems to wear off and I never seem to tire of it.

I've just realized that there is no point to what I am writing... but I've already rambled far too long to delete it all. Separation Anxiety does crazy things. So on another happy and completely unrelated note to end this pointless post, I got this lurvely brooch among other wonderful goodies from my secret santa at work! I love it so so much. Whoever got it did very well. Thank you :D

Dec 16, 2009

Can you believe this was my skirt back when I was 7? I wore it to my Flintstone themed birthday party. No...I don't have my seven year old self's waistline (how i wish i did though!!!) I think the garter just loosened up after years of storage.

All you have to do is leave us a short question (through a comment or an email) and your name and email address! Also follow us on blogger or BlogLovin' . Two winners will be chosen at random later this week. We'll be answering your questions in a succeeding post. So go ahead and ask us ANYTHING!!!

The giveaway ends next Sunday, December 20 and is open for all our international readers as well!

Dec 9, 2009

This afternoon, I was saddened to receive news of Jul Dizon's passing. She was a great woman of elegance, substance and wisdom whose remarkable warmth paralleled her tremendous talent.

She will be remembered, not only for the marvelous jewels she has concocted, but by her humble and generous spirit.More than being just a jeweler, she forged friendships with her clients, even extending the same kindness to a client's daughter (ie. me). Everything she did was tasteful and personal. The flower and fruit arrangements she would send to our home, for example, always came with a hand-written note.

Dec 7, 2009

I consider the Al-Hambra and the Topkapi two of my favorite architectures in the world. This is, of course, in keeping with my obsession with all things Moorish. As a teenage traveler in Granada, I remember being fascinated by the intricate details of the arabesques dominating the palace. I think that craftsmen back then were very clever to artfully play with light. I dont think there is anything more romantic than letting light pass through patterned stencils to cast lace shadows.

How very different these wooden light catchers are from stained glass windows.So tacky, in my opinion. I will have none of it in my future home!

When I was in Turkey last year, I was able to see yet another amazing alcazar. Splendor and decadence is infused in every inch of the Topkapi. I'm telling you, Istanbul is visual heaven. Not to mention food heaven. Turkish cuisine is absolutely delectable. They have this chickpea rice dish that is joy in every mouthful. I was also mildly obsessed with a street food called simit, which is sort of like pretzel..but infinitely better.Now back to arabesque wood art. Imagine my excitement when I was handed this carved Moorish cuff by my antique dealer last weekend. I adore him cause he always stashes a bagful of goodies for me which means I get first dibs on all his marvelous gems.

He is handsome in real life. The flash makes it seem like there are white bits in the carving, but there's none of that in actual reality. I'm thinking of wearing him with my grandma's double happiness cuff on my other wrist to keep me on balance.

I'm so happy to have one thing ticked off my MUST have list.

Next items that need ticking?

A blackamoor with emeralds, diamonds, and rubies. And a gem encrusted manina.

This entire site ⓒ2009 Little Miss Dress Up | Rosanna Aranaz & Hanna Choa Yu. All the photographs herein, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by the blog owners. No part of this site, or any of the content containe d herein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without express permission of the copyright holder(s).